Tips Guides Resources

Mining projects, by their very nature, are huge endeavors. The factors that have to be taken into consideration are both complex and far-reaching and are becoming more and more important.

As well as clearing large areas of land to make mining projects possible, there are often logistical factors and infrastructure issues involved; roads and houses may need to be built, and in some cases entire communities spring up as part of a large project.

Some of the major factors to be considered, and also the ones with increasing importance, are the environmental consequences of a mining project. In light of recent studies on pollution, ozone and global warming, it is clear that certain behaviour is no longer acceptable in the 21st century.

As scientists study new data about the environment and our planet, it is becoming clear that everyone has to respect the world we live in and adapt accordingly. This includes mining companies.

As well as important minerals and resources, mining areas can contain potentially hazardous material that needs to be dealt with appropriately and in a manner in accordance with environmental laws. Environmental laws are now established as an important way of minimising the impact of human activity on the environment and on humanity itself.

To obtain important metals such as iron, silver and copper, extracting sulphide ores from the ground is a necessary evil. In environmental terms one of the unwelcome by-products of this is the production of sulphuric acids and metal ions.

These do not occur when the mineral is underground, only when it is exposed to oxygen or water. Factors such as this need to be taken into account from the initial stages of planning right through to the execution of any new mining venture.

Mining also involves the use or destruction of many resources which are important to people but geographically located near mining projects. As well as mining being responsible for about 10 per cent of the world’s energy consumption, it can also require agricultural land to be destroyed or flooded.

This can affect lakes and rivers that are used for drinking water or fishing, and crops local people rely on for food being taken away.

As well as all the issues involving the extraction or destruction of resources, there is also the human factor to consider. People have land taken away by large scale mining projects, land that is not only physically important but is often historically or spiritually important.

The people effected by these projects must be involved in the decision making process at every stage and on every level. If this is not dealt with properly then problems will arise that can seriously effect a project financially and even lead to a project being delayed or not going ahead at all.

To overcome all these issues, and overcome them effectively and with minimal disruption, it is necessary to undergo a thorough consultation process, taking into account financial, environmental and social considerations.

In an increasingly environmentally friendly world the mining industry are facing a new list of challenges and responsibilities. Things that it hasn’t had to consider in the past are now of paramount importance.

Mining companies need to create or assess their policies on managing the environment, waste, water and other resources as well as having a clear and sustainable strategic plan. Without these things in place any company undertaking a mining project is neglecting its responsibilities and not fulfilling its potential.

Resources: Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the engineering industry. Find out more about mining in the engineering industry at URS Corp.